Page 39 of Seducing an Earl under the Mistletoe
His mother gently gazed at him. “I’ve been so lost in my own grief that I feel like I’ve neglected you. I should have been there for you, more present. Losing James has been hard on both of us.”
“It has, Mother.” He nodded.
“All I want for you is to be happy, my dear,” she told him. “And you cannot be happy if you are alone. Margot will make you happy, if you only allow her.”
Arthur appreciated his mother’s support, but there was something he needed to express. He chose his words carefully. “Mother, I know you want what’s best for me, and I truly appreciate your love and concern. However, I want you to understand that Margot and I may not be the right match for each other. I don’t want to enter a marriage that isn’t built on love and understanding.”
Lady Eleanora’s expression faltered, her eyes revealing a hint of resistance. “But Arthur, we’ve worked so hard to arrange this match. It’s important for the family. Can’t you find happiness within that?”
Arthur took his mother’s hand and spoke gently. “I don’t want to rush into a marriage for the sake of duty, Mother.”
Lady Eleanora’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, and she averted her gaze. She had always been a strong, resolute figure in Arthur’s life, but in this moment, he saw a glimpse of her vulnerability. She was fallible, just like anyone else.
“Duty is not such a bad thing,” she replied. “It is the cornerstone of any relationship. Respect and love build on that.”
He didn’t want to tell her that wasn’t how he saw things, that he didn’t want to end up like her and his father.
He smiled, wanting to end this conversation. “Let’s continue this later. But what I want you to be absolutely certain of is the fact that you will never be alone, Mother. Never.”
She smiled back, kissing him on the cheek. With those words, he left her, hopefully comforted, and headed to his study, where James’ letter was still waiting for him. The letter had remained untouched, as its contents had been too painful to revisit. However, the conversation with his mother had stirred something within him, a longing to understand his family’s history and the mysteries that shrouded it.
With trembling hands, Arthur carefully unfolded the aging parchment and began to read. The words were a connection to the past, to a brother who had left them too soon. James’ words were a promise, a promise of his safe return to England once he had visited their father abroad. The date on the letter was obscured by a water ring, and it left Arthur unable to determine whether it had been sent before or after James’ disappearance and presumed death.
The ambiguity of the letter filled Arthur with a sense of restlessness. He yearned for answers and closure regarding the fate of his beloved brother. The emotions that swirled within him were a tumultuous storm, and his heart raced as he considered the possibilities that the letter might hold.
Just as he was lost in thought and contemplation, the butler’s voice pierced the silence. “Lord Rinder, there is a caller for you.”
Startled, Arthur put the letter aside and composed himself. He was not expecting any visitors at this hour. With a deep breath, he replied, “Thank you. I’ll see them in the drawing room.”
His mind still lingering on his brother’s letter, Arthur entered the drawing room without even realizing who his caller was. It was only when she called out his name that his mind turned blank.
It was Catherine.
Chapter 17
Catherine was still stunned by the grandeur of the place as she stood in the middle of the drawing room. The sheer size of the estate made her family’s home in Saltdean seem like a humble hovel in comparison. The weight of her father’s debt had never felt more real than in the opulent surroundings of Arthur’s ancestral home.
Upon entering the drawing room, Arthur closed the door behind him. “Catherine,” he smiled, although it was an official smile, which was unlike him. He turned around for some reason. “Without a chaperone?” he wondered.
Catherine couldn’t help but tease him. “Oh, you know that propriety is a bit more relaxed here in the countryside, as you well know. I came on my own, as you can see, knowing that there is no need for a chaperone here.”
She then shifted to the purpose of her visit, her expression growing more serious. “I wanted to thank you for your help with Marcus. My family is already on their way to the Keppel estate to try to set things right, and I’ll be joining them later.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” he replied. “I hope everything will be cleared up to everyone’s advantage.”
As Arthur nodded, she took a deep breath before addressing the subject that had been hanging between them. “There is something else I wanted to explain.” She paused, wondering if he would say anything. When he didn’t, she continued.
“I know you saw Lord Thornton and me in the garden. I know because I sawyou.And you probably overheard us, too. So…I wanted to explain about his proposal.” She met his gaze, her eyes holding a mixture of emotions.
Arthur’s reply was measured, but it didn’t lack kindness. “You don’t owe me anything, Catherine.”
“I know, but…I feel like I owe you an explanation at least,” she continued. “I’ve asked him for some time to think. The question of my father’s debt is a burden I need to understand fully before I can decide anything else.”
She waited for him to say something, but he remained silent. She felt the need to continue.
“You see, I’ve never longed for marriage. Growing up in such a volatile home, all I ever wanted was to be free, to choose my path in life. Now, with all of this, it feels like my choices are slipping away from me.”
Tears welled up in her eyes, and before she could stop them, they trickled down her cheeks. Catherine’s vulnerability left her feeling exposed. Before she could say anything else, he walked over to her and silently wrapped his arms around her. She buried her face against his shoulder and let her tears fall freely.
